Anglamar was founded 150 years ago by Kothic barbarians who migrated from east of the Andural River. As the clans spread westward they began to settle. Their chieftains became independent lords, ruling their own lands and warring with each other until Thelron, Lord of Gond, united the clans and was proclaimed High King. Thelron the Great established the feudal system of land-owning Barons who hold their lands and titles in fealty to the King. The Barons collect taxes from the peasants and pay a portion to the Royal Treasury. In return, they are allowed to maintain their own armies and can depend on the King's authority for protection against rivals and foreign attack ... In 1132, King Thelmar (Thelron's grandson) was summoned to Tharsis where the monarchy was confirmed by the Patriarch and an archbishopric assigned to Gondaran. Since then, the kingdom has remained relatively stable, though there have been rebellions. The last occurred during the North War when Beregond, joined by Norlander adventurers, allied itself with the Wizard-King. Heroically led by King Thelric the Young, Anglamar defeated her enemies and restored Royal authority throughout the kingdom.

GOVERNMENT: The King is an hereditary monarch. His word is law, though there are limits to royal authority over the Barons. By tradition, matters that effect all of Anglamar (such as going to war) must be voted on by the Council of Barons and Lords. However, the Kings have rarely been unable to get their way.

Anglamar has a strong military tradition, based on its barbaric history and the rise of the noble warrior-class. Armies are led by elite knights and professional men-at-arms, supported by infantry spearmen and archers. Her navy is small, with the ability to build only cogs and barques. However, the kingdom has purchased carracks from Eredor in the past.
The kingdom's borders are relatively secure, though somewhat undefined in the north and east. Protected by mountains, forested wilderness and a rugged coast with few harbors, she is yet vulnerable to attack by Norlander sea raiders and from the mountains by marauding orcs. Along her southern frontier, the Stormover Mountains insulate the kingdom from the constant border disputes of the Inner Sea Lands. Only in the southwest does she share a well established border with a neighboring kingdom, Eredor. However, there has never been an armed conflict between the two nations* and they both benefit from trade and travel between.

Taxation is limited in Anglamar, as in other feudal kingdoms. The inefficiency of the feudal system makes it impossible to raise the Tax Rate above High.

CHALLENGES: Anglamar may be on her way to greatness, if she can expand for resources. The Eastmark is a vital source of timber, as well as a buffer against invasion from the east, but it is thinly inhabited and difficult to control. Varalkia has shown an interest there and the official border between the two great Kothic kingdoms has yet to be settled (Anglamar claims all territory west of the Easting (Varya) River, while Varalkia insists on a line running north-south through Greyshadow Mountain). Though claimed by Anglamar, the Northern Marches remains unincorporated. Its resources do not contribute to Anglamar's wealth and its population is semi-independent. Useful as a buffer against northern invasion (particularly by orcs which infest the Icewall Mountains), the frontier could easily become unstable. Fortunately, the majority of frontier folk, notoriously independent and resentful of any authority, hold some allegiance to Gondaran. The Storm Isles remain neutral territory, though Norland has already set claim to the northernmost. For Anglamar to move in that direction, she would have to invest in a stronger navy.

* In 1145, a border dispute arose between the Baron of the Dales in Anglamar and the Duke of Aquilore. Due to the fact that folk on both sides shared family ties, their lords were reluctant to go to war. So, it was agreed that the two rulers would meet in a personal test of arms to settle the matter. With crowds of peasants, soldiers and lesser nobility as onlookers, the Baron and the Duke couched their lances and charged. But, before a blow was struck, the Duke was unhorsed as he swerved to avoid an Anglamarian peasant girl who ran onto the field in pursuit of a windblown ribbon. A priest in the crowd then announced that Mythas had shown His will and the matter was resolved as the Baron relinquished his claim to the land ... Today, the regional observance of the annual High Summer Fair alternates between the Anglamarian town of Immerdeen and Valare in Eredor. The highlight of the Fair is the tournament, during which a randomly chosen peasant maiden presides as "Mistress of the Joust."